Cheat Sheet

PCs All-in-One For Dummies

To help you get the most out of your computer, we present Mark Chamber's most commonly used keyboard shortcuts for Windows 8, a handy Windows 8 maintenance checklist, and a guide to common PC file formats.

Windows 8 Windows-Key Shortcuts

Use these keyboard shortcuts to quickly navigate through Windows 8 using the Windows logo key. You'll find the keyboard an efficient alternative to your mouse.

Key or Key Combo

What It Does

Win

Cycles between the Start screen and the last used
application

Win+C

Displays the Charms bar

Win+D

Displays the Desktop

Win+E

Opens a File Explorer window called Computer

Win+F

Opens the File Search pane

Win+Ctrl+F

Displays the Search window for networked computers

Win+H

Displays the Share charm

Win+I

Displays the Settings charm

Win+K

Displays the Devices charm

Win+L

Displays the Lock screen

Win+M

Minimizes all open windows

Win+Shift+M

Restores all windows minimized with Win+M

Win+Q

Opens the Apps Search pane

Win+R

Opens the Run dialog box

Win+T

Cycles through taskbar programs

Win+U

Displays the Ease of Access Center

Win+W

Opens the Settings Search pane

Win+F1

Displays Windows Help

Win+Up Arrow

Maximizes the current Desktop window

Win+Down Arrow

Minimizes/restores the current Desktop window

Win+Left Arrow

Tiles the window on the left side of the screen

Win+Right Arrow

Tiles the window on the right side of the screen

Win+Print Screen

Takes a screen capture and saves it to the Pictures folder

Win+Tab

Cycles through open Metro apps

Win+Break

Displays the System Properties dialog box

Windows 8 Maintenance Checklist

Stick to this recommended maintenance schedule for your PC and you'll help keep Windows 8 and your hardware running like a race car! Print the checklist and display it somewhere near your system as a reminder.

Task

Schedule

Check for updates with Windows Update

Automatically

Check all hard drives for errors

Once a week

Run Disk Cleanup Wizard

Once a week

Scan and optimize all hard drives

Once a month

Manually scan for viruses (avast! Free Antivirus)

Once a month

Back up your hard drives

Once a month (at minimum)

Check for latest video and sound card drivers

Once a month

Check Device Manager for hardware problems

Once a month

Guide to Common File Formats

You'll encounter these digital media and archival file formats everywhere on the web and on your PC, so it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with their use and which applications will load them.